Fuze for special shaped charge bomb



Nov. 10, 1959 R. o. WYNN ErAL FUZE FOR SPECIAL SHAPED CHARGE BOMB 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 NOV. l0, 1959 R, o, WYNN ETAL 2,911,914

FUZE FOR SPECIAL SHAPED CHARGE BOMB Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 NOV. 10, 1959 R, 0, WYNN El'AL FUZE FOR SPECIAL SHAPED CHARGE BOMB 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 21, 1950 R. O. WYNN G F HYDE www NOV. 10, 1959 R, o, WYNN ETAL 2,911,914

FUZE FOR SPECIAL SHAPED CHARGE BOMB Filed Feb. 21. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 9.

FIG.14.

Nov. 10, 1959 R. o. WYNN ETAL' FuzE FOR SPECIAL SHAPED CHARGE BOMB 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 2l, 1950 United States Patent FUZE FR SPECIAL SHAPED CHARGE BOMB Robert 0. Wynn, Houston, Tex., and Glenn F. Hyde, Baltimore, Md.

Application February 21, 1950, Serial No. 145,512

9 Claims. (Cl. HB2-70.2)

(Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), sec. 266) This invention relates to a fuze and more particularly to a tail fuze for a shaped charge bomb adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in flight and to be exploded either by an electrical impulse or in response to the deceleration of the bomb as the bomb strikes a target.

More specically, the present invention relates to a tail fuze employing a iiring system which includes an impact responsive Voltage generator secured to the nose of the bomb for functioning the fuze and exploding the bomb upon impact thereof with a target, and in which an additional mechanical firing mechanism is employed for functioning the fuze in response to the aforesaid impact should for any reason the electrical ring system fail to function. The arming of the fuze is accomplished as the propeller operatively connected to the fuze is rotated a predetermined amount in response to air pressure thereagainst during the free ight of the bomb toward the target after being released from an aircraft in flight. The firing circuit from the generator to an electrotesponsive detonator is completed as an arming switch is actuated to a closed position by movement of the arming plunger operatively connected to the propeller and actuated thereby as the propeller is rotated in the aforesaid manner. In addition to a misaligned explosive train when the fuze is in an unarmed position, an electrical firing circuit from the impact responsive voltage generator to the electroresponsive detonator arranged within the fuze is interrupted and thus the fuze is maintained in a safe position and premature firing thereof will not occur during handling or transportation. Furthermore, as the mechanical firing mechanism operates in response to inertial force and depends upon impact or deceleration of the bomb to cause functioning thereof and the electrical system causes functioning of the bomb instantaneously in response to an electrical impulse upon impact it will be obvious that the mechanical tiring of the fuze is considerably slower in operation than the electrical firing system and thus the electrical firing cycle of the bomb is adapted to be completed and to cause explosion of the bomb before the mechanical ring cycle has been completed.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved combination electrically and mechanically controlled fuze for a shaped charge bomb.

Another object is to provide a new and improved fuze for a shaped charge bomb having an electrical generating firing device operatively associated therewith for energizing an electroresponsive detonator arranged within the fuze upon impact of the bomb with a target.

Another object is to provide a new and improved fuze for a shaped charge bomb having mechanically controlled tiring means arranged therein for tiring the shaped vcharge disposed within the bomb upon impact thereof with a target should for any reason the electrical tiring system thereof fail to function and explode the bomb in response to the aforsaid impact.

Still another object is to provide a combination mechanically and electrically controlled tail fuze for a shaped Patented Nov. 10, 1959 charge bomb having an electroresponsive detonator arranged therein adapted to be fired by an impact responsive voltage generator arranged on the nose of the bomb upon impact thereof with a target and in which means are provided for completing a firing circuit from the generator to an electroresponsive detonator arranged within the fuze as the arming propeller on the fuze is rotated a predetermined number of revolutions during the fr ee Hight of the bomb toward a target.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tail fuze for a shaped charge bomb in which means are provided for arming the fuze whereby the fuze is adapted to Vfunction upon impact either by an electrical impulse or by an impact actuated tiring pin.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of a shaped charge bomb employing the fuse and firing system of the present invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the fuze of Fig. l showing the fuse in an unarmed condition;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the fuze in an armed condition;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the fuze showing the arming rotor in an unarmed position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the arming rotor in an armed position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the impact responsive Voltage generator employed with the fuze of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-8 of Fig. l;

Figs. 9, 10 and 1l are fragmentary longitudinal sectional views of a shaped charge bomb showing alternative arrangements of the electrical conducting cable for the fuze;

Figs. l2 and 13 are enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional views of the bomb showing alternative arrangements for securing the cable to the bomb; and

Fig. 14 shows in diagrammatic form the electrical system and instrumentalities employed for firing the electroresponsive detonator.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views and more particularly to Fig. l thereof, the numeral 10 generally indicates a shaped charge bomb comprising a casing l1 having a plurality of eye bolts or the like 12 secured thereto by which the bomb is adapted to be releasably supported by an aircraft in llight. The casing 11 is composed of any sheet metal suitable for the purpose such, for example, as iron, steel, or the like and having a conical partition 13 secured therein in spaced relation with respect to the nose end of the bomb. By this arrangement means are provided whereby the charge 14 disposed within the casing 11 conforms to a specific shape and the nose of the bomb is provided with an air space or chamber 15, Fig. l. An arming wire 16 connected to the airplane as by a static line, or the like, se-V cured to the ring member 17 is preferably employed to Ascrew 23 or the-like Fig. 1.

' preferably composed of copper or the like.

a 2,91 1,c14 p A y y annular support 22 attached v`to the bomb casing 11 as by The casing 21 has secured 4thereto as by threading the parts together, as at 24, a cap member or housing 25 having one end thereof closed by a wall indicated by the numeral 26 and a vwell 27 formed therein in communication with a well 28 disposed within the casing 21. By this arrangement, a combination impinging andV electrical firing unit generally indicated by the reference character 29 is supported for sliding movement within the aforesaid Wells by the casing 21 and cap member 25.

The unit 29 comprises a tubular Vmember 31 having a reduced extension 32 formed on one end thereof and a tube 33 secured thereto in any suitable manner such, for example as Welding the parts together, the other end of the tube 33 having a firing pin 34 secured thereto, Figs. 2 and 3. The other end of the member 31 is in abutting engagement with an electric arming switch generally indicated by the reference numeral 30 and comprising a disc 35 composed of any material suitable for the-purpose such, for example, as steel or the like and having disposed thereon and secured thereto a disc 36 composed of a suitable insulating material. Disposed between the disc 36 andl a disc 37 composed of any suitable conductingmaterial is a support 38 composed of insulating material Yand having a ring conductor 39 secured thereto, the ring being The disc 37 is secu-red tothe support'38 as by screws, or the like 41, and the support 38 is secured to the disc 35 as by means of a hollow shaft 42 molded therein and anchored to the disc 35 as at 43, Figs. 2 and 3.

Arranged within the tubular member 31 andl the tube 33 is an elongated U-shaped bracket or support 44 having one end thereof secured to the disc 35 and movable therewith, the other end thereof supportingV an electroresponsive detonator 45 adapted to flash through openings 46 formed inthe flanged portion 47 of the tiring pin 34 lwhen the detonator is tired.

The unit 29 is moved longitudinally within the well 2S by a spring 88 as the switch 30 is moved longitudinallyV Within the well 27 by an arming shaft 48 as the shaft is rotated by the propeller 18, the shaft being enclosed in a tubular sleeve 49 one end of which is secured to a nipple `51 formed on the wall 26, the other end thereof'being secured to a nipple 52 formed on the vane assembly generally indicated by the numeral 53. One end of the arming shaft 48 is swivelly connected to the switch 30 as at 54 and has threaded engagement with a bore S provided in the endwall 26 and nipple 51, theV other end thereof having arranged thereon a bearing sleeve 56 secured thereto by a pin or the like 57. As shown on Fig. 2, the vane assembly 53 comprises the propeller 18 operatively connected to the arming shaft 48 by reason of a planetary gear arrangement and component parts thereof and indicated by the reference character 58. ltV will be Vunderstood, however, that by this arrangement the larming shaft 48 is rotated at 'a greatly reduced rate of speed with respect to the rotation of the propeller. In the specific arrangement as herein described, the arming shaft is adapted to make one complete revolution when the arming vane or Y propeller has completed a predetermined number of revolutions such, for example, as thirty revolutions during lthe free flight of the bomb toward the target.

1l'he propeller 18 is restrained from rotation duringrthe transportation of the bomb by the aircraft by the arming wire 16, Fig. l whichV is normally arranged within an aperture 59 provided in the propeller and adaptedto pass through one of a plurality V"of apertures 61 providedV in the `shield`62 and a complementary aperture 61 provided in a member 60formed on the vane assembly. Rotation of the propeller'and premature arming of the fuze is thus prevented until the bomb has been released from the aircraft at which time the `arming wire is Withduawn from the aforesaid apertures. A rotor and detonator holder generally indicated by the numeral 63 is rotatably supported within a bore 64 Y arranged in the casing 21 by a pair of trunnions 65 formed on the body 66 of the rotor and extending outwardly therefrom and into a pair of bearings disposed Within the casing 21 and a retaining nut 67 respectively, the rotor being adapted to rotate to an aimed position when released. As shown on Fig. 2 the rotor 63 is maintained in a safe position and rotation thereof is prevented by the -ring pin 34 normally disposed in a recess 68 arranged in the rotor body 66, and by a shear pin 6?# secured tothe casing and extending into the rotor body. It will be understood, however, that when the tiring pin is withdrawn from the recess 68 as the arming shaft 48 is rotated in the aforesaid manner the shear pin is adapted to be sheared in response to predetermined amount of pressure exerted thereon whereupon the rotor is released and rotated to an armed position as will be hereinafter more fully described. When this occurs the detonator 71 arranged within the rotor body 66 is brought into alignment with the kelectroresponsive detonator 45 and the lead-in charge '72 operatively connected to the booster charge 73 and adapted to be fired by the lead-in charge Fig. 3.

As the arming shaft 48 rotates, voutward movement thereofV is accomplished as the threaded portion 74 thereon engages the threaded bore 55 in the end Wall 26 and nipple 51. As the shaft48 rotates the switch 30 swivelly connected'thereto is rnoved outwardly apredetermined amount, Fig. 3, whereupon the member 31 is urged outwardiy concurrently therewith by spring 88 as will be hereafter more fully described and thus the firing pin is withdrawn from locking engagement with the'rotor 63 and an electrical firing circuit is completed from an impact'inertia generator secured to the nose of the bomb and generallyindicated by the reference character 75 to the electro'responsive detonator 45. It will be understood, however, that the firing circuit is completed when the slip ring 39 is moved into engagement with the contact elements 76 formed on the annular rin-g 77, and the which is also composed of insulating material. By

arrangement the rings 77, 79 and the contacts thereof are insulated from the fuze casing 21.

When the fuze is in the unarmed position, Fig. 2, Y

the contacts 76 are out of Vengagement with the ring 39 and in engagement `with the support 38 composed of insulating material, the contacts 78 are out of engagement with ring 37 andV spaced a predetermined amount therefrom and thus premature firing thereof is prevented. When the fuze is armed the support 38 is moved out of engagement with the contacts 76 and the ring 39 is brought in engagement therewith, the ring 37 is also moved into engagement with contacts 78 and end wall 26 of the fuze casing, and the firing pin 34 is moved out of engagement with the rotor 63.

When this occurs the rotor is moved to an armed Vposition by an actuating device generally indicated by spring 88 maintains the member 31-in abutting engagement with disc 35 and is adapted to urge the member 31 outwardly as the arming switch 30 is moved outwardly during roation of the shaft 48 by propeller 18. When the propeller has made a predetermined number of revolutions the fuze is armed whereupon the fuze will function either electrically or mechanically in response to impact of the bomb with a target. The spring 88 is arranged about the extension 31, having one end thereof in engagement with the member 84 and the other end thereof in engagement with a shoulder 89 provided on the tubular member 31 and thus sufficient pressure is applied to the rotor 63 by the spring controlled actuating device 83 to gradually shear the pin 69, whereupon the shaft 85 forcibly urges the rotor to an armed position, Figs. 3 and 5. When the rotor is moved to an armed position a major portion of the shaft 85 is moved into engagement with the flat surface 87 thereon and thus the rotor is locked by the shaft and further rotation thereof is prevented, Fig. 5.

As shown more clearly on Figs. 2 and 3, a pair of conductors 91-92 are employed for electrically connecting the detonator 45 to the rings 37 and 39, the conductor 91 is connected to one terminal of the detonator and to the ring 39, the conductor 92 being connected to the other terminal of the detonator and to the ring 37. A pair of conductors 93--94 are employed to connect the contact rings 77-79` to the socket member 95 secured to the casing 21 as by the screw 96. The conductor 93 is connected to the ring 77 and one terminal of the socket member, the conductor 94 being connected to thc ring 79 and the other terminal of the socket member, Figs. 2 and 3. By the aforesaid arrangement it will be understood that a tiring circuit will be established to the detonator when the fuze is armed.

As shown on Fig. 1, the circuit from the detonator 45 to the inertial generator 75 is established by way of plug 97 detachably secured to the socket 95, cable conductor 98 disposed within a tube 99, socket member 101 secured to the bomb casing as at 102, plug 103 detachably secured to the socket member 101, and thence to the inertial generator 75 by way of cable conductor 104. The tube 99 is secured within a groove 105 formed in the bomb casing 11 in any suitable manner but preferably by welding the parts together, Fig. 8. If desired, cable 98 may be made separable as by the connector 90 and anchored to the casing as by the bracket 100.

The magnetic inertial generator 75 is secured to the nose of the bomb as at 106 preferably by threaded engagement therewith and comprises a casing 107 composed of nonmagnetic material and having an adapter or support 108 secured thereto by means of a retainer nut 109, the adapter being composed of a magnetic material. The adapter is provided with a centrally disposed bore 111 in communication with a well 112 formed in one end thereof and having a coil 113 arranged therein, the coil being disposed on a spool 114 maintained immovable within the well 112 by a retaining member 115 secured to the adapter 108 as at 116. A plunger or core 117 composed of magnetic material is arranged within the bore 111, the core being releasably maintained within the bore by a cap 118, Fig. 7, disposed in abutting engagement with one end thereof and releasably secured to the member 115 as at 119, the other end of the core having abutting engagement with one end of a spacer 121.

The other end of the spacer is in abutting engagement with a head 122 formed on an impact device indicated generally by the numeral 123 and comprising a shaft 124 having an impact member 125 secured thereto as at 126. By the aforesaid arrangement, the core 117 is releasably locked within the bore and extends through the coil spool 114 whereupon movement thereof will not occur and a voltage will not be generated in the coil until the core has been forcibly moved in response to impact of the bomb with the target. When this occurs, the plunger 123 and spacer 121 are driven inwardly in response to the aforesaid impact whereupon the cap 118 is dislodged from the member 115 by the core 117 in response to movement thereof by the plunger and spacer. It will be understood, however, that as the core is dislodged from its normal position and suddenly moved through the coil spool 114 the lines of force cutting the coil suddenly collapse, and thus a voltage is generated in the coil sufcient to fire the detonator 45.

Secured to the adapter 10S as by screw 127 is a cover 128 composed of any insulating material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as Bakelite and having a pair of terminals 129 molded therein, the terminals being connected to the coil 113 by a pair of conductors 131, Fig. 7.

Referring now to Fig. 9 there is shown a fragmentary sectional view of a bomb similar to Fig. l and comprising a casing 132 composed of relative thick material and having threaded in one end an adapter 133 to which the tail fuze 19 is secured as by threaded engagement therewith, the other or nose end thereof having a cap plate 134 welded thereon"to"which the magnetic inertial genc' erator 75 is secured as by threaded engagement therewith. The electrical connection from the generator to the electroresponsive detonator is established by cable 135 secured to the generator and extending through a tube or conduit 136 attached to the casing 132 as by welding the parts together, slip connection 137, and thence to the fuze by way of cable 138.

Referring now to Fig. l0 there is shown a fragmentary sectional view of a bomb similar to Fig. 9 and comprising a casing having the magnetic inertial generator 75 secured to the nose in the aforesaid manner and the fuze 19 secured to the tail portion thereof as by the adapter 133. The electrical connection from the generator to the electroresponsive detonator is established by cable `139 connected to the generator and fuze and extending through a conduit 141 centrally disposed within the bomb casing and having one end secured to the conical partition 13 as at 142, the other end being secured to the adapter 133.

Referring now to Fig. ll there is shown a fragmentary sectional view of a bomb similar to Fig. 1 comprising a casing 143 having the magnetic inertial generator 75 secured to the nose as at 145 and the fuze 19 secured to the tail portion thereof as at 146. The electrical connection from the generator to the electroresponsive detonator is established by a cable conductor 147 secured to the bomb in any suitable manner but preferably by clips or the like 150 adapted to clip the cable to the eyebolts or guide lugs 12.

On Figs. 12 and 13 alternate methods are shown for securing the electrical cable to the bomb casing. In Fig. l2 for example, the cable 14S is disposed within a longitudinal groove 149 formed in the bomb casing 11 and maintained therein by a plurality of metal strips 151 welded to the casing as at 152, and in Fig. 13, the cable is disposed within a convex groove 153 formed in member 154, the member being secured externally of the bomb casing in any suitable manner such, for example, as by welding the member thereto as indicated at 155.

It will be understood, however, when the fuze is in an armed position, the slip ring 39 is in engagement with contacts 76, and slip ring 37 is in engagement with contact 78 and the fuze casing, and thus a ring circuit is completed from lthe magnetic inertial generator 75 to the electroresponsive detonator 45 by the circuit arrangement shown on Fig. 14. Thus when the bomb strikes a target, the inertial force received thereby will dislodge the core 117 from its normal position and cause it to be driven through the coil spool 114 whereupon the lines of force cutting the coil 113 suddenly collapse, and a voltage is generated therein of suiicient strength to re the detonator 45, it being understood, however, that should for any reason the electrical tiring system fail to function, the members 31 and 32, in response to the set forward inertial force thereon, drive the mechanical firing pin 34 against the opposing force of spring 88 into firing engagement with the detonator 71, and thus,

-7 explosion of the bomb is initiated thereby. Furthermore, as the mechanical tiring mechanism is considerably slower in operation than the electrical tiring system the electrical tiring cycle of the bomb is adapted to be completed and explode the bomb before the mechanical tiring cycle has been completed.

Briefly stated in summary, the present invention con- `templates the provision of a new and improved fuze and tiring system for a shaped charge bomb in which means are provided for functioning the fuze either by electrical means or mechanical means, and in which a magnetic, inertial generator is employed for functioning. the fuze in response .to a sudden impact received thereby such, for example, as when the bomb strikes a target, and in which additional meansare employed for functioning the fuze mechanically when the bomb strikes a target should for any reason,Y the electrical tiring means fail toY function.

Obviously many modications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings.

It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specnicallydescribed.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for .governmental purposes without payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. in a ring system for a shaped charge bomb adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in iii'ght upon a target, the combination of a fuze secured to the tail of said bomb, an arming rotor releasably locked in a safe position within the fuze and constructed and arranged to be moved to an armed position when released, means for locking the arming roto-r in said safe position and for releasingT the arming member when moved a predetermined amount, means including a spring actuated device for moving the arming rotor to said armed position when the rotor has been released, means including a propeller operatively connected to said locking means for moving the locking means said predetermined amount, an electroresponsive detonator secured tothe locking means, primer means carried by the rotor for connecting said detonator in tiring relation with respect to said bomb when the rotor is in armed position, an impact responsive voltage generator secured to the nose of said bomb and operatively connected .to said detonator for ring the detonator upon impact of the bomb with said target, and means responsive to said detonator and including said primer means for firing said shaped charge bomb.

2. in a tiring system for a shaped charge bomb adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in ight upon a target, the combination of a fuze secured to the tail of `said bomb, an arming rotor releasably locked in a safe position within the hize and constructed and arranged to be moved to an armed position whenk released, a primer arranged within said arming rotor, means for locking the arming rotor in said safe position and for releasing the arming rotor when moved a predetermined amount, means vfor moving said arming rotor to said armed position when said arming rotor nas been released, means operatively connected to said locking means for moving the locking means said predetermined amount, an electroresponsive detonator secured to said locking means for movement therewith and aranged in firing relation with respect to said primer when the rotor is in armed position, an impact responsive voltage generator secured to the nose of said bomb, an arming switch arranged to be closed by said locking means upon movement thereof for operatively connecting said detonator to said generator for tiring the detonator upon impact of the bomb with said target, and means including said Aprimer and responsive to said detonator for ring said shaped charge bomb.

3. In a tiring system for a shaped charge ,bomb adapted toV be Vdropped from an aircraft in flight upon atarget, the combination of a'fuze secured to the tail of said bomb, an arming rotor releasably locked in a safe position within the fuze and constructed and arranged to be moved to an armed position when released, means vfor locking thearming rotor in said Safe position andcOnStruQted and arranged to release the arming rotor when moved a predetermined amount, means for Vmoving said arming rotor to said armed position when said rotor has .been released, means operatively connected to said locking means for moving the Ilocking means .said predetermined amount, an impact responsive voltage 'generating device secured to the nose of the bomb, an element composed of magnetic material slideably arranged within said lgenerating device "for generating a voltage therein as the element is moved suddenly with respect thereto, means detachably secured to said `device for maintaining said element in an initial position, means including an impact member slideably arranged within the generating device and operatively connected'to said'element for suddenly moving the element from said initial position upon impact of the bomb with said target, an electroresponsive detonator operatively connected to the device and operated by the voltage generated thereby as said element is suddenly moved from said initial position in response to said impact, a primer carried by said rotor and positioned thereby in operative tiring relation with respect to said detonator when the rotor is in said armed porsition, and means responsive to said detonator and including said primer for exploding said bomb when the detonator is operated.

4. ln a tiring system for a shaped charge bomb adapted to be dropped from anA aircraft in flight upon a target, in combination a fuze secured to the `tail of said bomb, an arming rotor releasably locked in a safe position with-V in the fuze and constructed and arranged to be moved to an armed position. when released, means for locking the arming rotor in said safe position and for releasing the arming rotor when moved a predetermined amount, means including a spring actuated device for moving the arming rotor to said armed position when the rotor has been released, means including a propeller operatively connected to said locking means for moving the locking means said predetermined amount, an impact responsive voltage generating device secured to the nose of the bomb, an element composed of magnetic material slideably arranged within said generating device for generating a voltage therein as the element is moved suddenly with respect thereto, means detachably secured to said generating device for maintaining said element in an initial position, means including an impact member slideably arranged within the generating device and operatively connected to said element for suddenly moving the element from said initial position upon impact of the bomb with said target, an electrorespo-nsive detonator carried by said locking means and operatively connected to the generating device for operation by the voltage generated thereby as said element is suddenly moved from said initial position in response to said impact, -a primer carried by said rotor and positioned thereby in operative ring relation with respect to said detonator when the rotor is in said armed position,.and means responsive to said detonator and including said primer for exploding said bomb when the detonator is operated.

5. In a tiring system for a shaped charge bomb adapted to be Vdropped from an aircraft in flight upon a target, the combination of a fuze secured to the tail of said bomb, an impact voltage generator comprising a support secured to the nose of said bomb, an element composed of magnetic material arranged within said generator and movable Vwithin said support for generating a voltage therein as the element is moved suddenly with respect thereto, means including arcap detachably secured to said support for maintaining said element in an initial position, a normally openl firing circuit connected .to said generator, a

propeller operatively connected to said fuze, a pair of electrical contacts in said tiring circuit, a switch device operatively connected to said propeller for closing the tiring circuit as the switch is moved into engagement with said pair of contacts in response to the rotation of the propeller during the free flight of the bomb toward said target, an electroresponsive detonator arranged within the fuze and included within the tiring circuit and operated by the voltage generated as the cap is detached from said support by the element as the element is suddenly moved from said initial position in response to impact of the bomb with the target, and means responsive to said detonator for exploding the bomb.

6. In a firing system for a shaped charge bomb adapted to be dropped from an aircraft in flight upon a target, the combination of a fuze secured to the tail of said bomb, an arming rotor releasably locked in a safe position within the fuze and constructed and arranged to be moved to an armed position when released, means for locking the arming rotor in said safe position and for releasing the arming rotor when moved a predetermined amount, means including a spring actuated device for moving the arming rotor to said armed position when the rotor has been released, means including a propeller operatively connected to said locking means for moving the locking means said predetermined amount, an impact voltage generator secured to the nose of said bomb, a movable element composed of magnetic material arranged within said generator for generating a voltage therein as the element is moved Suddenly with respect thereto from an initial position, means for maintaining said element in said initial position, a normally open firing circuit connected to said generator, a pair of electrical contacts arranged within said fuze and connected in said circuit, a switch device secured to said locking means for closing said tiring circuit as the switch is moved into engagement with said pair of contacts when said locking means is moved said predetermined amount, an electro-responsive detonator arranged within the fuze and included within the firing circuit and operated by the voltage generated as the element is suddenly moved from said initial position in response to impact of the bomb with the target, a primer carried by said rotor and positioned thereby in operative firing relation With respect to said detonator when the rotor is in said armed position, and means responsive to said detonator and including said primer for exploding said bomb when the detonator is operated.

7. In a fuze for a shaped charge bomb, a casing; an arming rotor releasably locked within said casing in an initial safe position and constructed and arranged to be moved to an armed position when released; means including an inertia responsive firing pin arranged slideably within the casing for locking the arming rotor in said safe position and constructed and arranged to release the rotor When the ring pin is moved a predetermined amount; means for moving the rotor to said armed position; said last named means inclu-ding a shear pin releasably secured to said casing and rotor, a spring actuated plunger carried by said locking means for moving the rotor from said safe position to an armed position when the rotor has been released and said pin has been sheared in response to the pressure exerted thereon by said spring actuated plunger; means including a propeller operatively connected to the locking means for moving the tiring pin said predetermined amount during the free flight of the bomb toward a target; and a primer for exploding said bomb arranged within the rotor and tired by said tiring pin in response to the inertia force thereon upon impact of the bomb with said target.

8. In a fuze for a shaped charge bomb, a casing, an arming rotor releasably locked within said casing in an initial safe position and constructed and arranged to be rotated to an armed position when released, means including a firing pin slideably arranged within the casing for locking the arming rotor in said safe position and constructed and arranged to release the rotor when the tiring pin is moved a predetermined amount, a shear pin for releasably securing the rotor to said casing and adapted to be sheared in response to a predetermined amount of pressure exerted thereon when the rotor has been released, a spring actuated plunger carried by said locking means for exerting said pressure on the rotor and constructed and arranged to move and lock the rotor in said armed position as said pin is sheared, means including an arming shaft operatively connected to said locking means for moving the ring pin said predetermined amount during the free flight of the bomb toward a target, and means including a primer for exploding the bomb arranged in the rotor and fired by said firing pin upon impact of the bomb with said target.

9. In a ring system for a shaped charge bomb adapted to be dropped upon a target from an aircraft in ilight, the combination of a fuze secured to the tail of said bomb, an electroresponsive detonator disposed within the fuze, an arming rotor in said fuze, a primer carried by said rotor, an inertia responsive tiring pin for locking said rotor in a safe position in which the primer is out of tiring relation with respect to said detonator, means including a propeller for releasing said tiring pin from said rotor during the free flight of the bomb through the air, a shear pin for maintaining said rotor in said safe position and for delaying movement of said rotor as the tiring pin has been released therefrom, a spring actuated plunger carried by said pin releasing means and effective when the rotor is released thereby for shearing said shear pin and moving said rotor to an armed position in which the primer is in tiring relation to the detonator and in position to be forcibly engaged by the firing pin upon sudden set forward movement thereof in response to the impact of the bomb with said target, an impact responsive voltage generator secured to the nose of the bomb and having a movable element projecting forwardly thereof for causing a voltage to be generated in the -generator as the element is moved suddenly upon engagement thereof with the target prior to impact of the bomb with the target, a normally open circuit including said generator and said detonator, said pin releasing means having said detonator carried thereby, a plurality of contact terminals in said circuit, and switch means carried by said pin releasing means and arranged to be moved thereby into engagement with said plurality of contact terminals as the ring pin is released from the rotor thereby to complete the circuit between the detonator and generator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 384,662 Zalinski June 19, 1888 399,879 Graydon Mar. 19, 1889 1,774,043 Summerbell Aug. 26, 1930 1,895,513 King Ian. 31, 1933 2,404,553 Wales July 23, 1946 2,511,872 Parker .Tune 20, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 113,685 Australia Aug. 14, 1941 

